Gus

**SPOILERS AHEAD** Do not read further if you have not read Bright Sideor are in the middle of reading it now. Reading further may spoil the ending of Bright Side for you.

Since losing Bright Side, Gus doesn’t know how to go on. He’s missing the best part of himself and it hurts so damn bad. Now, he’s being forced to go back on tour with Rook. It’s taking everything he has just to make it through the endless days and nights. Gus isn’t sure he can keep doing it. He’s not sure he can ever be the person he was before.

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As soon as I finished reading Bright Side, I started reading Gus. I had to. I was still so emotionally invested in all of the original characters. I was telling everyone I could think of to read Bright Side. I needed more. I needed to know my new favorite characters were okay.

Gus was a little tough to read at the beginning. Gone was Kate’s lively best friend. In his place was a self-medicating man on the edge. While his success was rising, he was falling. Gus wasn’t the same, dude. And it bothered me. I couldn’t stand to see him suffer.

I’m so happy that’s not how Kim Holden left him. It was so rewarding to experience him finding himself again. (Although, I do have to admit a few tears were shed every time there was mention of Kate.)

I loved the new characters Gus met on his journey. Kim Holden really knows how to create memorable characters. I want to meet all of these people in real life. I also loved getting to reconnect with all of Bright Side’s gang. It really helped bring the story full circle.

Guswas an outstanding follow up to Bright Side. I highly recommend reading it — but only if you’ve read the first book. I know we’re probably not going to get any more books in this series, but I really want a Keller book.